The New Hampshire Democracy Report is a weekly letter sharing updates on democracy reform bills as they pass through the New Hampshire State House.

Here are recent newsletters in PDF:  

March 2, 2020 New Hampshire Democracy Report

Feb. 10, 2020 New Hampshire Democracy Report

Feb. 2, 2020  New Hampshire Democracy Report

We're combining two of our favorite actvities:   Singing and Social Action!

Announcing the 2020 Campaign Finance Corruption Chorus, sponsored by Open Democracy Action.   Our mission will be to sing "Corruption Carols" at campaign events in the last few weeks of the  2020 New Hampshire Primary, as well as carolling around Manchester where the national and international press hangs out.  

This will be a relaxed and FUN group with a humorous yet powerful message.    We're still working out the attire, but thinking we'll have matching warm hats and maybe scarves which will be provided to our singers. 

RSVP your interest by filling out the form below.   We're hoping to have our first rehearsal shortly.  

Thank you and hope to hear you soon!

Brian Beihl

Deputy Director, Open Democracy Action

603-620-8300

Thanks for considering being part of an Open Democracy Action Regional Democracy Team here in New Hampshire.   If you are outside of New Hampshire, there are other ways for you to help, but our regional teams are working in their towns and neighborhoods here in the Granite State only.

Open Democracy Action just launched its Regional Democracy Teams in November of 2019, and we're still sorting out the infrastructure and mission.   Your voice is important at this critical time as each team decides what activities are best within each region.       

Go to the Regional Democracy Teams sign-up page

Our organization, founded by New Hampshire campaign finance reformer Doris "Granny D" Haddock, who at 89 years old in 1999, set off on a walk across the United States to raise the alarm of how our campaign finance system was creating a system of legal bribery, particularly at the federal level.   She was a critical part of kindling nationwide support for the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill, which passed in 2002.   Granny D died in 2010, but unfortunately lived to see the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, which rendered her work for McCain-Feingold moot.  But Granny D remains a hero, not just here in New Hampshire, but for reformers all over the country, for showing what one ordinary person can do to make change.

Our Regional Democracy Teams will work around their areas on a variety of activities, but all of it related to strengthening our Democracy:

• Exhibiting at local fairs and festivals
• Walking or doing street theater in parades (We've done "SuperPAC Man" and "Senator Philmore Pockets" in past parades)
• Speaking to school, civic and religious groups about our issues
• Calling state reps when Democracy legislation is pending
• Writing letters to the editor in your area
• Talking with other activist groups, such as climate, pipeline, healthcare, or other groups which get blocked by Big Money interests.
• Hosting an annual Granny D Day walk on January 24th, or reading one of her speeches on the steps of your town hall.
• Do a screening of one of several money-in-politics movies at your local library
• and whatever else you can dream up to further our cause!

If you're ready to take action, go to our Regional Democracy Teams sign up page, confirm what region you're in, and sign up.   You'll be doing your part to help save our republic by getting our democracy back in the hands of the PEOPLE, not special interests or corporations.

As Granny D said, "Democracy isn't something we HAVE, it's something we DO!"

Time to Take Action!

House Concurs with Senate on Amendment for HB 706 Nonpartisan Redistricting Bill; Goes to Governor

Establishment of a nonpartisan redistricting commission moved a step closer with a bipartisan 208-137 division vote on HB 706 in the House on Thursday, it's last stop in the legislature.

That's with a total of 345 votes cast, and a 60% to 40% margin, short of the 66% that would be needed to override a veto from the governor. It is still unclear whether the governor will sign or veto the bill.  Many representatives were absent from the vote.

In May, a bipartisan compromise was reached to assure passage in the Senate and make the bill more palatable to Republicans. Thursday's  division vote does not record who cast the ballot for the concurrence vote, but it had originally passed the house in a 218-123 bipartisan vote, 64% to 36%.

Write or Call the Governor

Open Democracy Action has been urging voters to write to Governor Sununu to encourage him to sign the bill. Continued letters and calls to the governor, and letters to the editor to local papers are needed to convince him that the New Hampshire voters want fair voting districts, and it's in the best interest for both parties and for the State. Please do it soon!

Mail: (We recommend a personal letter)

Office of the Governor, State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301

Phone:

(603) 271-2121; (603) 271-7680 (fax)

Email:

Email the Governor's opinion email

LEGISLATION WE'RE WATCHING THIS TERM

For updates and descriptions of the other important democracy legislation this session, click on the links below.

Public funding

Redistricting and ending gerrymandering

Campaign reform

Money in politics

Questions? Want to Help?

Olivia Zink: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)

NH Becomes the 20^th State to Call for a 28^th Amendment Addressing Citizens United & Redistricting

The New Hampshire Senate passed HB 504 in a roll call vote along party lines Thursday. HB 504 compels our Congressional delegation to call for a 28^th amendment to the U.S. Constitution giving Congress the power to regulate money in politics, and exempting such regulation from violating free speech.

Governor Sununu has not signed the bill, but technically, he doesn't need to. According to the Council of State Legislators, resolutions like HB 504 serve to inform our federal representatives of the wishes of the state legislature, and the governor's signature is not needed. However, Congress must craft it's own language, have it passed by 2/3 majority of each house, then have that language ratified by 75% of the states with no changes to the language. The U.S. Constitution does not contain a provision requiring Congress to submit a proposed amendment upon request by some requisite number of states. It's a high bar, but it's been done 27 times before.

Congratulations to all the legislators, supporting organizations and to the many voters who wrote letters and made phone calls. Granny D is smiling.

HB 706 Passes House Committee – Again - Tuesday, Full House Amendment Affirmation Vote Thursday

The House Election Law committee voted Tuesday to concur with the Senate's bipartisan amendment compromise to HB 706, making the bill more acceptable to Republicans in the House & Senate, and hopefully, Governor Sununu. HB 706 creates a nonpartisan redistricting commission, but the Senate's wholesale changes to the bill needed review by the House Election Law after it passed by voice vote on May 23. A positive vote of the House sends the bill to Governor Sununu, where it is still unclear whether the governor will embrace the bipartisan bill. Supported by ODA.

It's Up to Governor Sununu to Shine a Light on Dark Money LLCs 

In the 2016 gubernatorial election, both Governor Chris Sununu and his opponent, Colin Van Ostern, received donations from LLCs. At that time, and as it remains, individuals could contribute unlimited funds to an LLC, and the LLC would make campaign donations it the LLCs name. Amounts were disclosed, but not the individuals making the donations. SB 156 would change this, requiring that both the individual donors and the amounts they contributed, would be disclosed to the Secretary of State. The bill passed in a full house division vote 212-139 last Wednesday and now awaits Governor Sununu's signature or veto. Supported by ODA

The University of Seattle Law Review published an excellent article by Brendan A. O’Neill about the New Hampshire governor's race and the LLC Loophole. It will add to your understanding of how this type of sleazy Dark Money works and how to fix it.
 

House Adopts Ban of Ratepayer Money for Lobbying

As expected, HB 206 passed the full Senate last week in a voice vote. The bill would prevent public utilities from passing on to customers some of their costs for lobbying and other political activity. Despite the almost universal support for the bill through the legislature, the Sununu family's close ties to the energy industry raise a question as to whether he'll sign the bill. Supported by ODA

House Passes SB 105 Inaugural Committee Bill

SB 105 passed in a bipartisan voice vote last Wednesday, setting new guidelines for reporting for inaugural committees. The bill tightens regulations for donors to inaugural committees, limiting maximum donations to $10,000, and requires receipts for money dispersed to family members – a response to questionable payments made to family members and campaign insiders in the last election. The Governor's office has since released a conflict of interest policy for the inaugural committee.

UPCOMING HEARINGS & COMMITTEE VOTES

Red = Open Democracy Action Priority Bill

After Tuesday's Election Law vote on HB 706, there are no remaining hearings on Democracy bills in the New Hampshire House or Senate.

THIS WEEK'S SESSIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE

The Senate will meet in session Thursday, June 13 at 10 a.m. in Senate chambers. The House will meet June 13 at 10 a.m. The last remaining significant democracy bill is HB 706, which faces a vote to concur with the Senate's amendment.

“Dear Governor Sununu . . .”

HB 706 should be heading to the Governor in the next few weeks. Send a postal letter now and ask him to sign HB 706! Remind him that in the big picture, both parties benefit from a level playing field, and more importantly, New Hampshire voters benefit from having sensible representation, not gerrymandering.

Governor Christopher T. Sununu, Office of the Governor, State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301.

Have you Heard?

Over the last six months, Open Democracy has been producing the Open Democracy Minute, a radio segment which runs on WNHN 94.7 in Concord. Each week, we update listeners about current democracy legislation, and try to explain complex issues like gerrymandering and ranked choice voting in 90 seconds. Each week's Open Democracy Minute can be found on the Open Democracy Minute page. Take a listen to this week's segment!

Upcoming Events

Film: "Dark Money," Nashua

This award-winning political thriller examines one of the greatest threats to American democracy; the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials.

The film follows an intrepid local journalist working to expose the real-life impacts of the US Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. Through this gripping story, DARK MONEY uncovers the shocking and vital truth of how American elections are bought and sold. There will be a panel discussion following the film

The movie is free to attend, and is sponsored by Open Democracy and the League of Women Voters, Nashua. It will be held at the Nashua Public Library, 2 Court Street, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. RSVP here, and contact Joan Emus with any questions.·

Films: "Legalize Democracy" & "The Story of Citizens United"

We the People - Mount Washington Valley cordially invite you to cookies and conversation about corporate personhood and what you can do about it. We will show two videos, The Story of Citizens United from the Story of Stuff Project, and Legalize Democracy from Move to Amend. The first show will be Tuesday, June 18, at 6:00 pm at the Conway Public Library, 15 Greenwood, Ave, Conway, followed by a Saturday matinee June 22 at 3:00 pm.

Have you heard?

Over the last six months, Open Democracy has been been producing the Open Democracy Minute, a radio segment which runs on WNHN 94.7 in Concord. Each week, we update listeners about current democracy legislation, and try to explain complex issues like gerrymandering and ranked choice voting in 90 seconds. Each week's Open Democracy Minute can be found on the Open Democracy Minute page. Take a listen to this week's segment!

LEGISLATION WE'RE WATCHING THIS TERM

For updates and descriptions of the other important democracy legislation this session, click on the links below.

Public funding

Redistricting and ending gerrymandering

Campaign reform

Money in politics

Questions? Want to Help?

Olivia Zink: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)

It took 8 years, 11 bills, and the efforts of hundreds of dedicated legislators and volunteer activists to get a bill to the governor's desk to neuter the Citizens United decision. If it passes the NH Senate on Thursday and is signed into law, HB 504 would direct our congressional delegation to call for a U.S. Constitutional amendment to address money in politics and gerrymandering.

It would make our state the 20^th to call for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to end Citizens United. The bill is short and somewhat general, but voices what many voters feel should be done:

“AN ACT relative to election-related amendments to the United States Constitution.

 Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1  Amendment to the United States Constitution.

I.  The general court hereby calls upon the United States Congress to support a constitutional amendment containing the following language:

"Section I.  Congress and State Legislatures shall regulate the role of money in elections and governance to ensure transparency, prevent corruption, and protect against the buying of access to or influence over representatives.  No such regulation shall be deemed in violation of freedom of speech rights in the Constitution of the United States or its Amendments.

Section II.  Legislative districts or districting plans shall not intentionally or unduly favor or disfavor any political party.  Within twelve months of ratification, all federal and state district lines shall be redrawn to conform hereto."

II.  Within 6 months of the effective date of this section, the general court shall hold one public hearing to be attended by 6 members of the house of representatives, 3 from each the 2 largest parties, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and 2 members of the senate, one from each the 2 largest parties, appointed by the president of the senate to record public comments on such an amendment, to be forwarded to New Hampshire's congressional delegation along with the notification of the passage of this act.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.”

It's likely that HB 504 will pass with support of Democrats and some courageous, corruption-fighting Republicans. But it has little support from Republicans like Rep. Al Baldasaro in the NH House or the Senate, who attempted to table the bill on “violation of free speech” grounds on the House floor.

For many party leaders and politicians on both sides--and the donors who fund them--money equals political power. The loss of that power means they have fewer ways to win the election and stay in power. It takes a lot of money to get elected governor or U.S. Senator. They'll let go of unlimited campaign money when it's pried out of their cold dead hands.

Voters in 82 communities have already shouted to the legislature and governor by passing petitioned warrant articles calling for a U.S. Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. Many of those legislators are listening, with more Democracy bills in the session than in any legislature in a decade.

Have you called or written to your representatives, your senator, or the Governor?

We CAN do this. The time is NOW!

HB 504 Call for U.S. Constitutional Amendment Scheduled for June 6 Full Senate Vote

HB 504 legislation calls on the U.S. Congress to support a constitutional amendment which allows Congress and state legislators to regulate money in elections and lobbying, and to require nonpartisan redistricting of voting districts, doing away with gerrymandering. It also calls for a public hearing about the amendment. Supported by ODA

HB 706 Returns to House Committee June 11,
Full House, June 13, to Senate's Amendment

Last week's New Hampshire Democracy Report mentioned that we were inches from the Governor's desk with the HB 706 independent redistricting bill. Because the amendment to the bill took place in the Senate, the bill had to return to the House for concurrence.  At the discretion of the originating committee's chair, it can either go directly to the House floor, or go though the originating committee first. Due to the extent of the amendment, it is returning on June 11 to the House Elections Law Committee, then will be brought to the House floor on June 13. It's not too late to write a letter, an email, or a letter to the editor, or make a phone call to your NH House Representatives and Governor Sununu. Supported by ODA.

Will the Sleazy Dark Money LLC Loophole be Closed? SB 156 Vote Wednesday on the House Floor

Big money donors use LLCs to work around the limits to individual campaign donations. Creating an LLC allows a donor or group of donors to give anonymously to the LLC in unlimited amounts, but the only name that reported to the Secretary of State is “The Freedom & Justice Alliance,” for an example. Because of Citizens United, amounts can't be limited, but SB 156 seeks to make those donations public information, including both the name of the donor (or partner in the LLC) and the amount of money contributed from that donor. Opponents to this bill are arguing that this disclosure would scare off business coming into New Hampshire, and votes for this bill have been along mostly party lines in the Senate and in House Election Law. The full House votes this Wednesday after 1 p.m., or possibly Thursday after 10 a.m. Supported by ODA.

House Likely to Endorse Ban of Ratepayer Money for Lobbying

SB 206 would prevent public utilities from passing on to customers some of their costs for lobbying and other political activity. In sending the bill on to the House, the vote was 24-0 in the Senate, and the House Election Law committee concurred, endorsing it 18-0 in a nonpartisan vote, but the bill won only by a 10-9 margin in the House Science, Technology and Energy committee. Supported by ODA

SB 105 Inaugural Committee Bill Expected to Pass in June 5 Vote

SB 105 cleared House Election Law with a 20-0 ought to pass recommendation, and has been added to the House “consent” calendar, all but assuring its passage. The bill tightens regulations for donors to inaugural committees, limiting maximum donations to $10,000, and requires receipts for money dispersed to family members – a response to questionable payments made to Governor Sununu's family members and campaign insiders. As a consent calendar bill, it come up Wednesday, shortly after lunch.
 

Voting Rights “Domicile” Bill HB 105 Passes Senate 14-10

HB 105 rolls back last year's restrictive and controversial SB 3 narrow definition of “domiciled” voters, affecting students, employees posted to New Hampshire and other medium-term residents. The bill has moved forward on strict party line votes in both the House & Senate. Governor Sununu is unlikely to sign the bill, given the partisan ranker surrounding last year's bill. Supported by ODA through its allies

Action on other bills from last week's sessions:

HB 531, a bill permitting unrelated caregivers to deliver absentee ballots on behalf of voters who reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities as well as those who are being cared for at home, passed on a voice vote in the Senate.

HB 315 was amended during the process to allow the Secretary of State to participate in a database to identify voting fraud, but puts safeguards in place for use of voter data. The bill definitively pulls New Hampshire out of the infamous Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck program and its notorious inaccuracies and use for voter suppression. Just like it's vote in committee, the full Senate vote passed along party lines, 14-10.

Another voting rights bill, HB 611 passed along party lines as well, 13-11. The bill allows voters to vote by absentee ballot, no matter the reason. Current law restricts the circumstances under which an absentee ballot can be cast. Senate President Donna Soucy was the lone Democrat to vote against the bill.

The Senate passed HB 651, which would allow the use of campaign funds for child care expenses, 15-9. The bill was amended but was recommended 20-0 in House Election Law, and passed the House on a voice vote.

UPCOMING HEARINGS & COMMITTEE VOTES

Red = Open Democracy Action Priority Bill

With the term winding down, this appears to be one of the last democracy-related committee meetings for the summer, but no less an important one. Note that it's a work session, not a hearing, and will include a review and hopefully an endorsement of the amended HB 706.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11

ELECTION LAW, Room 308, LOB

10:00 a.m. Full committee work session to review senate amendments.

There are no hearings on Democracy bills in the New Hampshire Senate this week.

THIS WEEK'S SESSIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE

The Senate will meet in session Thursday, June 6 at 10 a.m. in Senate chambers. The House will meet June 5 at 1 p.m., again Thursday, June 6 at 10 a.m., and the following week, Thursday, June 13, 10 a.m.

This week, the Senate consider:

HB 106, restores many of the provisions on voting for students and medium-term workers rolled back in last year's SB 3. Supported by ODA through its allies.

HB 504, proposes a U.S. Constitutional amendment to allow the regulating money in politics and requires fair redistricting. Supported by ODA through its allies.

HB 556, allows municipalities to process absentee ballots prior to election day.

The House will vote on these Democracy bills this Wednesday or Thursday, June 5 or 6:

SB 105, tightens regulations for donors to inaugural committees, limiting maximum donations to $10,000, and requires receipts for money dispersed to family members

SB 66, bars candidates for the offices of Secretary of State, State Treasurer and any office voted upon by the New Hampshire General Court from making a political contribution to anyone running for public office.

SB 156 closes the LLC Loophole, making donors and partners to LLCs disclose the amounts and identities to the state in an attempt to shine a light on dark money. Supported by ODA.

“Dear Governor Sununu . . .”

HB 706 should be in the Governor's hands June 13. Send a postal letter now and ask him to sign HB 706! Remind him that in the big picture, both parties benefit from a level playing field, and more importantly, New Hampshire voters benefit from having sensible representation, not gerrymandering.

Governor Christopher T. Sununu, Office of the Governor, State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301.

Have you geard?

Over the last six months, Open Democracy has been been producing the Open Democracy Minute, a radio segment which runs on WNHN 94.7 in Concord. Each week, we update listeners about current democracy legislation, and try to explain complex issues like gerrymandering and ranked choice voting in 90 seconds. Each week's Open Democracy Minute can be found on the Open Democracy Minute page. Take a listen to this week's segment!

LEGISLATION WE'RE WATCHING THIS TERM

For updates and descriptions of the other important democracy legislation this session, click on the links below.

Public funding

Redistricting and ending gerrymandering

Campaign reform

Money in politics

Questions? Want to Help?

Olivia Zink: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)

Thanks to the hard work of legislators, particularly Rep. Marjorie Smith & Senator Jim Gray, Open Democracy Action volunteers like you, and our allies around the state, we've finally pushed HB 706 up to, but not yet on, Governor Chris Sununu's desk.

In order to move those last few inches, HB 706 must make one last trip to the House on June 5 to confirm the Senate's amendment to the bill.

Last Thursday's voice vote in the New Hampshire Senate assured that it will move forward. But after the House confirmation, it's still not clear that the Governor would indeed sign the bill despite the strong bipartisan votes in the House & Senate.

With strong committee votes in both bodies, and strong votes in both the House and the Senate, it seems that a veto would be contrary to the wishes of both Democrat and Republican voters.

We have one last job for you on HB 706. Take a moment to pen, or type, an old fashioned postal letter. Office of the Governor, State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301. Tell Governor Sununu in your own words why a nonpartisan redistricting commission is right for both parties, and why it's right for New Hampshire. And ask him to please sign HB 706. Sending a postal letter can add some gravitas in these days of Facebook messaging and emails. By early next week at the latest, please.

You've had an impact these past few months. Now let's bring it home for the voters of New Hampshire. They're counting on us.

SB 106 Political Advocacy Bill Wins House Approval

A voice vote last Thursday, SB 106 passed the House and the bill heads to the Governor's desk. The bill sets an amount of $2500 of political advocacy as the threshold when organizations need to register and disclose those expenditures with the Secretary of State's office. Open Democracy Action has been very active on this bill throughout this legislative session. The Governor has not taken a public position on the bill. Supported by ODA.

SB 104 Vote Postponement Procedures Approved by House

After difficult weather conditions caused town clerks to postpone votes in 2018, the legislature has been working diligently on SB 104 to resolve the desire of many towns to be able to accommodate the safety of town residents. The House supported this effort with a voice vote on a procedure for these situations, satisfying the Secretary of State’s office, town moderators and the New Hampshire Municipal Association, all of whom reached consensus on the language of the bill.

Final House Vote on Utility Lobbying Bill SB 206 Pending in June

SB 206 would prevent public utilities from passing on to customers some of their costs for lobbying and other political activity. In sending the bill on to the House, the vote was 24-0 in the Senate, and the House Election Law committee concurred, endorsing it 18-0 in a nonpartisan vote, but the bill had to survive a 10-9 vote in the Science, Technology & Energy Committee before going to the full House vote. Supported by ODA 

SB 105 Inaugural Committee Bill Expected June 5/6 for Final House Vote

SB 105 cleared House Election Law with a 20-0 ought to pass recommendation. The bill tightens regulations for donors to inaugural committees, limiting maximum donations to $10,000, and requires receipts for money dispersed to family members – a response to questionable payments made to Governor Sununu's family members and campaign insiders. The full House will act on the bill next Wednesday or Thursday, June 5 or 6.

Voting Rights “Domicile” Bill HB 105 Senate Vote Postponed to Thursday;

SB 67 Passes House last Week

HB 105 rolls back last year's restrictive and controversial SB 3 narrow definition of “domiciled” voters, affecting students, employees posted to New Hampshire and other medium-term residents. The bill has moved forward on strict party line votes in both the House & Senate. Governor Sununu is unlikely to sign the bill, given the partisan ranker surrounding last year's bill. Supported by ODA through its allies

Related to the voting rights definitions debate is SB 67, relative to the definitions of resident and residency. This bill passed last week 215-138 on party lines in the House, and now goes on to the Governor's desk. The effect of this bill is to modify the definition of residency in the NH statutes to enable constitutionally-eligible voters to vote in NH without having to incur financial costs to do so. Supported by ODA through its allies

HB 504 Call for U.S. Constitutional Amendment
Scheduled for June 6 Full Senate Vote

HB 504 legislation calls on the U.S. Congress to support a constitutional amendment which allows Congress and state legislators to regulate money in elections and lobbying, and to require nonpartisan redistricting of voting districts, doing away with gerrymandering. It also calls for a public hearing about the amendment. Supported by ODA.

UPCOMING HEARINGS & COMMITTEE VOTES

Red = Open Democracy Action Priority Bill

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 20199

Senate ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 102, LOB

Sen. Levesque (C), Sen. Sherman (VC), Sen. Morgan, Sen. Birdsell, Sen. Gray

10:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LEGISLATION We expect HB 504 to be voted on during this executive session.

There are no hearings on democracy bills in the New Hampshire House this week.

THIS WEEK'S SESSIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE

The Senate will meet in session May 30 at 10 a.m. in Senate chambers. The House will meet June 5 at 1 p.m., again Thursday, June 6 at 10 a.m., and the following week, Thursday, June 13 (likely 10 a.m., although no time was specified by the chair).

The Senate will consider HB 531, a bill permitting unrelated caregivers to deliver absentee ballots on behalf of voters who reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities as well as those who are being cared for at home. Allowing this will alleviate a burden from those who are disabled but want to cast their ballot on election day. The bill passed Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs 5-0 and was the only democracy bill on the consent calendar this week.

Among the Senate's regular calendar bills before the full Senate are:

HB 105, which seeks to remove some of the restrictions made by last year's SB 3 regarding the definition of “domicile” for students, medium-term workers, and others who choose to vote in New Hampshire. The bill passed Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs 3-2, but Governor Sununu had previously signed more restrictive SB3.

HB 315 was amended during the process to allow the Secretary of State to participate in a database to identify voting fraud, but puts safeguards in place for use of voter data. The bill definitively pulls New Hampshire out of the infamous Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck program and its notorious inaccuracies and use for voter suppression. As with most of the voting rights bills this term, the Election Law & Municipal Affairs vote was along party lines, ought to pass 3-2.

HB 556, allows municipalities to process absentee ballots prior to election day. Passed Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs committee 5-0.

Another voting rights bill, HB 611, allows voters to vote by absentee ballot, no matter the reason. Current law restricts the circumstances under which an absentee ballot can be cast. The bill passed in the House in a bipartisan roll call vote, 198-163, and passed Senate Election Law 3-2.

HB 651 would allow the use of campaign funds for child care expenses. The bill was amended but was recommended 20-0 in House Election Law, and passed the House on a voice vote. Senate Election Law passed it 3-2.

While we do not have a list of bills before the full house yet, we do expect HB 706, which passed the Senate last week, to return to the House for confirmation of the Senate's amendment to the bill.
 

Send a Note to Governor Sununu – Sign HB 706

HB 706 should be in the Governor's hands June 5. Send a postal letter now and ask him to sign HB 706! Remind him that in the big picture, both parties benefit from a level playing field, and more importantly, New Hampshire voters benefit from having sensible representation, not gerrymandering.

Governor Christopher T. Sununu, Office of the Governor, State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301.

LEGISLATION WE'RE WATCHING THIS TERM

For updates and descriptions of the other important democracy legislation this session, click on the links below.

Public funding

Redistricting and ending gerrymandering

Campaign reform

Money in politics

Questions? Want to Help?

Olivia Zink: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)

Several victories this week in the New Hampshire House and Senate on redistricting, lobbying reform and transparency, for which we have reason to celebrate: The amended HB 706 nonpartisan redistricting commission passed Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs committee; the utility lobbying bill SB 206 passed the Science, Technology & Energy committee; and House Election Law committee recommended closing the LLC loophole. All good news.

But in the immortal words of Han Solo, “Great, Kid. Don't get cocky!” 

There are forces at work to derail what the voters want, so we must keep the pressure on. The Governor has shown skepticism on most Democracy legislation this term. Recent votes on the Dark Money-fighting SB 156, would indicate that some legislators want to continue anonymous donations of unknown amounts, and party leaders may be whipping their caucus members to support such votes.

Your letters to the editor, letters to the Governor, and most importantly your calls to your legislators are still needed. Don't let up!

Senate Vote Thursday on Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission

The amended HB 706 nonpartisan redistricting commission passed through the Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs committee with a 5-0 Ought to Pass vote last Thursday, and is scheduled for its full Senate vote in this Thursday's session, 10 AM, May 23. We encourage voters to attend.

As we reported last week, the bill was amended to allay the fears of legislators who thought the original version would violate the NH Constitution. Although the bill is not on the session's consent calendar, it is expected to pass and be sent back to the House to confirm the amended bill. If approved, the bill goes to Governor Sununu. Governor Sununu had said earlier in the term that he felt the current system was adequate, but signaled last week that he would consider the bill, but making no promises to sign it. Supported by ODA. Recommend roll call vote.

LLC Loophole Bill SB 156 Passes - But Without Republican Support

House Election Law gave the LLC Loophole an Ought to to Pass recommendation with a 12-8 vote, but it's clear that some legislators still want to keep the source and amounts of Dark Money a secret from the voters.

SB 156 would force donors using a limited liability corporation to make campaign donations to disclose who is making the donation and how much. Open Democracy Action testified for the bill in both the House and Senate, and SB 156 passed the Senate by a 13-11 margin. We expect SB 156 to come before the full House next week. Supported by ODA

Utility Lobbying Bill Survives Science, Technology & Energy, 10-9

SB 206 would prevent public utilities from passing on to customers some of their costs for lobbying and other political activity. In sending the bill on to the House, the vote was 24-0 in the Senate, and the House Election Law committee concurred, endorsing it 18-0 in a nonpartisan vote, so the 10-9 vote was a surprise. One Democrat, Jackie Cali-Pitts, joined all Republicans in opposing the bill. A lobbyist from Eversource Energy testified after Open Democracy Executive Director Olivia Zink cited recent lobbying expenditures, using Eversource as an example. Supported by ODA -

SB 105 Inaugural Committee Limits Bill Gets 20-0 Mandate

Echoing the strong message sent by the NH Senate, SB 105 cleared House Election Law with a 20-0 ought to pass recommendation. The bill tightens regulations for donors to inaugural committees, limiting maximum donations to $10,000, and requires receipts for money dispersed to family members – a response to questionable payments made to Governor Sununu's family members and campaign insiders.

The specter of new legislation hasn't slowed down money flowing into the Governor's inaugural coffers, however. Since the 2018 election, New Hampshire Public Radio reports that an additional $250,000 has been raised for the inaugural committee, $160,000 of which comes from political action committees and businesses. That list includes Bank of America, Pfizer, Uber, Reynolds American tobacco, Unitil, and Eastern Propane Gas, Inc. each of which gave $10,000, according to NHPR's review of the committee's filing.

SB 106 Political Advocacy Bill Has Full House Vote Wednesday

After a unanimous vote in the full senate, and a 20-0 vote in House Election Law, SB 106 now goes to the full House this Wednesday. SB 106 sets an amount of $2500 of political communications as the threshold when organizations need to register and disclose those expenditures with the Secretary of State's office. Supported by ODA. Recommend roll call vote.

“Domicile” Bill HB 105 Gets OTP from Senate Election Law,

Full Senate Vote Thursday, Likely to Pass

HB 105 rolls back last year's restrictive and controversial SB 3 narrow definition of “domiciled” voters, affecting students, employees posted to New Hampshire and other medium-term residents. The bill has moved forward on strict party line votes in both the House & Senate. Governor Sununu is unlikely to sign the bill, given the partisan ranker surrounding last year's bill. Supported by ODA through its allies

Vote Wednesday in Senate Election Law for HB 504 Call for U.S. Constitutional Amendment

HB 504 legislation calls on the U.S. Congress to support a constitutional amendment which allows Congress and state legislators to regulate money in elections and lobbying, and to require nonpartisan redistricting of voting districts, doing away with gerrymandering. It also calls for a public hearing about the amendment. The executive session vote in the Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee will be held Wednesday, May 22, beginning at 10 a.m., Rm 102 of the Legislative Office Building (LOB). Supported by ODA.

UPCOMING HEARINGS & COMMITTEE VOTES

Red = Open Democracy Action Priority Bill

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 20199

Senate ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 102, LOB

Sen. Levesque (C), Sen. Sherman (VC), Sen. Morgan, Sen. Birdsell, Sen. Gray

10:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LEGISLATION -- We expect HB 504 to be voted on during this executive session.

THIS WEEK'S LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS

As the 2019 session winds down, several Democracy bills will be acted on this week. The Senate meets Thursday, May 23 at 10 a.m. in Senate chambers.

HB 588, relative to presidential nominations. This bill will amend the declaration of candidacy form for presidential primary candidates. It will add one line that will make the New Hampshire form consistent with what the federal constitution requires. Ought to Pass, Vote 5-0.

HB 593, relative to updating official voter checklists. Outlines procedures that supervisors of the checklist must follow when they receive informal reports that a voter has died or has changed address. It will add to statute what is currently standard operating procedure. The amendment was requested by the Secretary of State and will make domicile information collected by the Secretary of State’s office exempt from the Right to Know law.

HB 105-FN, relative to domicile residency, voter registration, and investigation of voter verification letters. Committee vote Ought to Pass, 3-2 . Supported by ODA through its allies

HB 611-FN, allowing voters to vote by absentee ballot. Ought to Pass, Vote 3-2.

HB 651, allowing the use of campaign funds for child care expenses. Ought to Pass with Amendment, Vote 3-2.

HB 706-FN-A, establishing an independent redistricting commission. Ought to Pass with Amendment, Vote 5-0. Supported by ODA. Recommend roll call vote.

The House also meets Thursday, May 23 at 10 a.m. in Representatives Hall, with SB 106 political advocacy bill expected to pass.

SB 104, relative to the postponement of city, town, village, and school district elections. This bill provides the procedures for postponement of town, city, village, and school district elections in the event of a weather or other emergency. The procedures provide the moderator with clear authority and guidance on how to postpone elections without compromising their integrity. This legislation is a melding of SB 104 and HB 408, which was retained by the House Election Law Committee after a lengthy bipartisan effort to address the concerns of the towns and the Secretary of State. The bill is the result of numerous conversations between the Secretary of State’s office, town moderators and the New Hampshire Municipal Association, all of whom reached consensus on the language of the bill. 

SB 106, relative to the definition of political advocacy organization.  This bill requires organizations that spend over $2,500 annually on political advocacy, and that distribute those political communications within 60 days of an election, to register with the Secretary of State. The committee continues to believe that it is important for New Hampshire citizens to know where the political advocacy in their state is coming from and supports this effort to bring more transparency to the process. Vote 20-0. Supported by ODA.

SB 67, relative to the definitions of resident and residency. The effect of this bill is to modify the definition of residency in the NH statutes to enable constitutionally-eligible voters to vote in NH without having to incur financial costs to do so.

SB 68, relative to the centralized voter registration database. A reaction to New Hampshire's participation in the notoriously inaccurate Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck program, this bill limits what information from the centralized voter registration database can be shared with other entities.

Take Action Before Thursday- Tell your Senator to support the HB 706 Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission

Your calls are needed to your senator by to support HB 706. Call now!

LEGISLATION WE'RE WATCHING THIS TERM

For updates and descriptions of the other important democracy legislation this session, click on the links below.

Public funding

Redistricting and ending gerrymandering

Campaign reform

Money in politics

Questions? Want to Help?

Olivia Zink: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)

The HB 706 nonpartisan redistricting commission bill hit the airwaves this week, as the Senate Elections Law and Municipal Affairs gets ready to vote this Thursday morning. Prime sponsor Rep. Marjorie Smith spoke on May 8 on New Hampshire Public Radio's The Exchange, explaining her bill and the recent amendment to attract more Republican support.

We've incorporated changes into a bill which I believe we have a bill that does everything possible we can do to include the legislature at the start of the process, and at the end of the process, and in the middle have a competent group of people working in the public eye --not behind close doors, but in the public eye-- with hearings in each county, to make sure that we end up with the best possible redistricting.

Open Democracy's Olivia Zink also participated in a discussion in Concord with WKXL's Chris Ryan on May 6, along with Lucas Meyer, to hit the highlights of the bill in an 11-minute segment. Zink said,

“This is really about fundamental representation.  Voters really want to know that they're going to the poll and picking their representatives and know that the system has not been rigged by the party in charge.”

HB 706 gets a vote in the Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs committee this Thursday at 9 a.m., Room 102 of the Legislative Office Building.

Executive Session 9 a.m. Thursday on HB 706 Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission

It's likely that HB 706 will clear the Senate Election Law & Municipal Affairs committee this week, but we anxiously await the positions of the committee's Republican members on the proposed amendment giving the legislature a heavier hand in the process. Once approved by the full Senate, it will return to the House for its approval of the amended bill. It is crucial that Republican members of the rest of the Senate hear your comments.

A correction for last week's New Hampshire Democracy Report. We noted that from the application pool, the majority party leaders nominate 10 majority party picks, and the minority leaders pick their 10. Incorrectly we said that “the minority party picks five of the majority party's nominees, and the majority party would pick five of the the minority party's nominees.” That is not accurate. In fact, the majority & minority leaders strikes five nominees from the opposing party's picks, similar to impaneling a jury. The remaining five are to be unaffiliated members, which need to be chosen by a bipartisan vote of the parties' chosen commissioners.

HB 706 is expected soon in the full Senate, but if the amendment passes, it must return to the House for a confirmation vote. Open Democracy Action has testified for the original bill and supports the amendment. Supported by ODA

LLC Loophole Bill SB 156 Gets House Election Law Vote Thursday

House Election Law votes Thursday on the SB 156 bill to close the LLC loophole. While it does not stop the flow of campaign donations, SB 156 would force donors using a limited liability corporation to make campaign donations to disclose who is making the donation and how much. Open Democracy Action testified for the bill in both the House and Senate, and SB 156 passed the Senate by a 13-11 margin. Supported by ODA

Utility Lobbying Bill Passes but Bounces to a Second Committee

SB 206 would prevent public utilities from passing on to customers some of their costs for lobbying and other political activity. In sending the bill on to the House, the vote was 24-0 in the Senate, and the House Election Law committee concurred, endorsing it 18-0 in a nonpartisan vote. A late change to the bill expanded the definition of lobbying and political activity, but the bill was still passed on a voice vote. As a two-committee bill, it now pinballs to the House Science, Technology and Energy committee for a hearing for 10 a.m. Wednesday, Room 304, LOB, followed by an executive session vote at 10:30. Supported by ODA

UPCOMING HEARINGS & COMMITTEE VOTES

Red = Open Democracy Action Priority Bill

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

HOUSE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY, Room 304, LOB

10:00 a.m. SB 206, excluding the cost of lobbying and political activity from the rates of public utilities. An executive session is scheduled for this bill at 10:30.  Supported by ODA

Thursday, May 16, 2019

HOUSE ELECTION LAW, Room 308, LOB

10:00 a.m. Executive session on

SB 71, relative to the election of delegates to party conventions;

SB 105FN, relative to contributions to inaugural committees;

SB 156, to close the LLC Loophole, passed the Senate along party lines, 13 Democrats supporting ans 11 Republicans opposing. The LLC Loophole is exploited by donors who want to anonymously make donations to exceed federal donations to candidates. SB 156 would require disclosure of donors and amounts, but due to the Citizens United decision, can't limit the amounts. Supported by ODA

The committee will also continue work on SB 70, relative to vacancies among primary candidates and prohibiting a candidate from receiving the nomination of more than one party.

SENATE ELECTION LAW AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS, Room 102, LOB

Sen. Levesque (C), Sen. Sherman (VC), Sen. Morgan, Sen. Birdsell, Sen. Gray

9:00 a.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PENDING LEGISLATION, including the HB 706 nonpartisan redistricting commission

10:30 a.m. HB 588, relative to presidential nominations.

11:00 a.m. HB 593, relative to updating official voter checklists.

EXECUTIVE SESSION MAY FOLLOW

This Week's Legislature Sessions

The Senate meets this Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at 10 a.m. A number of democracy bills this week, including the previously mentioned HB 429 civic engagement committee bill. The bills coming to the floor from the Election Law and Municipal Affairs committee include:

HB 345, relative to certification of devices for the electronic counting of ballots, Ought to Pass, Vote 3-1.

HB 415, relative to the official ballot referendum form of town meetings. Ought to Pass, Vote 4-0.

HB 429, establishing a committee to study ways to improve civic engagement in New Hampshire. Ought to Pass with Amendment, Vote 4-0. Supported by ODA

HB 452, establishing a commission on the first-in-the-nation presidential primary. Inexpedient to Legislate, Vote 3-0.

HB 539-FN, establishing a committee to study the implementation of the One4All ballot in municipal elections. Ought to Pass with Amendment, Vote 3-0.

The next House of Representatives session will be a week from Thursday, May 23, 10 a.m. We expect SB 206 to return for another full House vote after its second committee vote, as well as the SB 156 LLC Loophole bill.

Don't Let Up - Tell your Senator to support the HB 706 Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission 

Your calls are needed to your senator by to support HB 706. Call now!

Upcoming Open Democracy Events

Screening of Dark Money., Monday, May 20, Canaan, NH

This award-winning political thriller examines one of the greatest threats  to American
democracy; the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials. The film follows an intrepid local journalist working to expose the real-life impacts of the US Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. Through this gripping story, DARK MONEY uncovers the shocking and vital truth of how American elections are bought and sold.

There will be a panel discussion following the film.

Free and open to the public, this is event is sponsored by Open Democracy, Take Back Our Republic, American Promise, Wolf-PAC and Rights and Democracy.

Monday, May 20, 6 pm. Mascoma Valley Reg. High School, Canaan. Please RSVP HERE. 

LEGISLATION WE'RE WATCHING THIS TERM

For updates and descriptions of the other important democracy legislation this session, click on the links below.

Public funding

Redistricting and ending gerrymandering

Campaign reform

Money in politics

Questions? Want to Help?

Olivia Zink: olivia@opendemocracy.me; (603) 661-8621 (cell)

Rick Bourdon: rick.bourdon@gmail.com; (603) 795-2818; (603) 759-1888 (cell)

Brian Beihl: Brian@Beihl.org (603) 620-8300 (cell)